Sunday, February 27, 2011

SEX IN THE HOOD IS THE WILD, EROTIC TALE OF LOVE, SEX AND GHETTO DREAMS.

Duke Johnson has everything - money, power, and respect. He's the self-proclaimed ruler of Babylon, the sexiest party underworld in Detroit, and he can have anything and every woman he wants. That is, until he meets Victoria.

Victoria has lost both her parents, and now that she;s moved from her upper class home in suburbia into her grandmother's run-down shack in the hood, she's about to lose something else - her virtue.

Join us as White Chocolate, Urban Books' bi-racial sensation, takes you on one of the most pleasurable experiences of all time.

My Review:

***warning contains profanity

What a bunch of bullshit! One of the most pleasurable experience of all time? My ass...this book was painful. So bad that I didn't make it pass page 64. I did skim through the book to see if there were a point where it would get better, yeah right. Duke is a egoistical conceited "ruler" of the sexiest party of Detroit's underworld translation he is a pimp of a big brothel.

The women are called Sluts and the men are Studs. When describing body parts and sex scenes the language is crude. Urban lit is known for explicit sex scenes but this was just ridiculous. The two main character were racist and prejudiced. Duke had everyone called him Massa Duke so it shouldn't be of no surprise that he was colorstruck. Victoria has genitalia that talks to her. I have heard of the term that sex is power but this book took the term literally and not even in a convincing way.

The entire book revolves around Babylon and Duke desire to be it's ruler and grow it. Victoria as his Duchess and the light bright face of the company who speaks the King's English will be the tool he needs to get certain people on board with the expansion. Apparently black women from the ghetto don't know how to speak proper English or if they do they are faking it.

I am glad this is a pass it along book because no one should waste their money on this. I searched and their is a Sex in the hood 2...why? The premise could've worked with a more skilled author but it is clear that White Chocolate just decided to jumped on the Urban Lit bandwagon. TBR list #5 if you are not an Urban Lit fan don't even bother you will just get the wrong idea of what the genre is. For Urban Lit fans, if this is on your tbr list put it on the bottom, the absolute last entry, believe me there is no rush for this.

You have in your hands in pivotal fourth novel in the seven-part tale of Harry Potter's training as a wizard and his coming of age. Harry wants to get away from the pernicious Dursleys and go to the International Quidditch Cup with Hermione, Ron and the Weasleys. He wants to dram about Cho Chang, his crush (and maybe do more than dream). He wants to find out about the mysterious event that's supposed to take place at Hogwarts this year, an event involving two other rival schools of magic, and a competition that hasn't happened for a hundred years. He wants to be a normal, fourteen-year-old wizard. Unfortunately for Harry Potter, he's not normal-even by wizarding standards. And in his case, different can be deadly.

My Review:Well I am bias as I love the HP series. In this book Harry and students find out that the Triwizard Tournament. The Tournament had not been played in over a century due to the death toll being to high. The three largest schools Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Beauxbatons Academy of Magic, and Durmstrang Institute, compete for the Triwizard Cup bragging rights and 1000 galleons (coins) for the winner. There is only one change with this new session of the tournament, no under age wizards. And to make sure no under age students submit their name a spell was place on the Goble of Fire.

Harry learns about the Dark Mark and Death Eaters for the first time at the Qudditch World Cup. He also hears about the 3 unforgivable curses . Imperius is a curse that gives the user control over the person the curse was placed on. Cruciatus is a curse to inflict the worse of pain. Avada Kedavra is a killing curse.

During the book Harry name is place into the Goblet. He is now magically bound to compete. He has to try to figure out how to get through each of the task while trying to figure out who put his name in the Goblet and why. The last task took him straight to Voldemort. In the end, a student dies, Voldemort is back (though people are not ready to admit it), Sirius is revealed to trusted people who fought against Voldemort before, and we are left with the impression that things are about to get ugly.

Narrator Jim Dale is the best. He has a voice for every character. The flow is smooth and you never feel like come on get to the good stuff. TBR list #1 ...come on, you already knew that right!

From back of the book:Older sister Jasmine, a postal worker in Richmond, Virginia, is working hard, saving money, and waiting for the right man to walk into her life. And in fine-dressing, smooth-talking attorney Derrick, she thinks she's found him. Derrick is generous, gorgeous, and oh-so-sexy. But all it takes is some pointed questions from Jasmine's shrewd granny Big Momma to expose her man as nothing more than a lying, drug-dealing hustler. Refusing to admit she's been played, Jasmine chooses to remain faithful to Derrick while he's doing time. That is, until she finds him in a clinch on visiting day with his baby's momma, Wendy. Derrick's big mistake with Wendy pushes Jasmine even further toward the arms of good friend-and good man-Dylan. But when yet another baby momma comes into the picture, Jasmine will have to decide whether the right love is worth the complications that come with it

Little sister Stephanie is looking for a good time, not a good man, although she finds both in sweet, loyal Travis. Before she knows it, a one-night fling has turned into a three-year relationship. But then, Malek, Stephanie's sexy high school sweetheart and the father of her adorable son, swings back into town and that wild part of her wants another taste of the one that got away. Right in the middle of wedding planning, Stephanie falls into a crazy affair with Malek-one that could destroy the best thing that ever happened to her. Big Momma tries to keep Stephanie's little family together, but a woman has to take care of her own life and for Stephanie, part of keeping things real will be learning how to lie in the bed she made for herself. Now that she's the momma, maybe it's time to start acting like a grownup

My Review:Main characters are Jasmine, Stephanie, Travis, and Dylan. What did I think about the characters? I felt like all the characters were in a rush to be in relationships. None of them just too time out to reflect on what went wrong with the last relationship.

Jasmine was judgemental quick to finding fault with how other woman dealt with men and judging those men. The same is true about Stephanie. Travis was a good man but should have put his foot down every now and then. And he shouldn't have tried to buy her love. Buying things do not make someone love you and does not make one a good man. Dylan was perhaps the only person who had most things right though he waited way too long for Monica.

There are book club discussion questions at the end I will answer those now but I will not type out the questions. So here goes:

I have dated someone who have been in prison. I have dated a few guys who have been in prison. When I was younger I definitely went for the bad boys. An ex of mine was in and out of jail...a lot. So yeah, I know what it's like to date someone in da joint. Most have some of the same things in common. They put work above almost everything else. They tend to cheat. And is not above them to manipulate emotions to work in their favor.

If I could have any man from the book it would have been Dylan. Travis was ok but he just didn't appeal all the way with me. Dylan has a loyal friend,, faithful boyfriend, and sexy lover quality. Malek and Derek, well I've known several of men like them. I think there are many women who would agree with the statement "good sex will keep you in a bad situation."

Now Big Momma. She is like many nosy mother figures in family. The thing about giving advice is that you can give it but it doesn't mean the person receiving it has to take it. Nagging never fixed anything, in fact, some times it makes a person want to do the opposite. Also it makes people not want to come to you when something is going on.

The story was well told. It is a fast paced novel. The plot moved forward from the point of view of the four main characters. I would have given this novel 4stars but there were times when I wanted to smack the crap out of a couple characters, mainly Jasmine and Big Momma. Also I didn't like the way the character jump right into a relationship. It was like the were all afraid of taking some time. Especially Travis, I don't want to reveal what he did because it takes away from some of the story but let's just say shame on him, not for Stephanie's sake but his own. I saw myself in some of the characters so it was very for me to relate and that gives why I added the .5. The overall meaning of the storyline is two things. One, people treat you the way you allow them to treat you. Second, appreciate what you have before it's gone.TBR list #3

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Okay, what am I missing? Why would a man want to make a woman who has more men in her than a New York subway car his wifey? Beauty, a crazy body, and good sex? Is that really what would blind a man to what and who a woman really is? It seems in urban/street lit novels that is all the dudes want. Then as soon as the chick flip on him (like her back warned him of) he wants to freak out. Hello! She was all about money when you met her and you knew it.

Then the women in these novels always have impossibly perfect curvy bodies. The men are always chiseled. The drug dealers always have bank and power. Both are shallow and only care about the materialistic aspects of life. I know drug dealers, their wifeys, their kids, their families, and drug users. Not every crack head is noticeable from across the street and for every kingpin you have a hundred low-level, making end meet hustlers. And the wifeys are in all shapes and sizes.

What I want people to understand about these novels is that there is truth in it. People are that shallow. People are that grimy. But at the end of the day these books are fiction. Life is not this way for many people in the hood. Not every little girl is abused. Not every little boy wants to be a pusher. Not everyone is out for money and clothes. And not every man is criminal. These books are entertainment, simply an action movie in a book.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

I was given a book that has been passed along several times already. I decided to make a blogpost dedicated to the idea. I'm sure that many people wont follow the rules and come back here to leave a comment stating that they have received the book and to those who have done it Thank You! I do hope however, that the book continues to get passed along and no one keeps it for his or her self.

The rules:When a person receives the book they are to write their name and blog URL on the inside cover along with the date they finished reading it. They are asked to come to this post and do the same in the comments section.

If you are a blog owner try this little experiment yourself. Kindly leave a comment with your Pass It Along blogpost.

My Pass It Along Book is Sex in the Hood by White Chocolatepages 335published: Urban Books 2005ISBN:1893196208

From back of book:Duke Johnson has everything - money, power, and respect. He's the self--proclaimed ruler of Babylon, the sexiest party underworld in Detroit, and he can have anything and every woman he wants. That is, until he meets Victoria.

Victoria has lost both her parents, and now that she's moved from her upper class home in suburbia into her grandmother's run-down shack in the hood, she's about to use something else - her virtue.

Here is the basic information:Should you choose to participate in this challenge, your goal is to read at least twelve (12) audiobooks (no matter the length). Twelve is the minimum to be entered in the Grand Prize at the end of the Year.

Of course anyone can join. You just have to live on the planet earth, (meaning, this is an international challenge and contest) and you need to have either a blog where you can post your Reviews, or you need publish your review anywhere else, goodreads, LibaryThing, amazon, Barnes & Nobles, audible, etc etc etc...

Important: When you post your Review you have to say that you listened to the audiobook version of the book, who was the narrator, the length of time the audiobook ran and your separate rating/impression for the audiobook (how you liked the narration of the story beyond what you thought of the story itself). This can be at the end of your regular review, just like this example here.

The challenge runs from January 1st to December 31st, 2011.You can join at anytime you want!It doesn't matter what audiobook you are listening to, no matter the genre or the length!

Challenge Guidelines:Please create a blogpost announcing your participating, you can include the books you are planning to listen to, but you don't have to. People without a blog just leave a link to where you will be posting your reviews (i.e. your Goodreads account).

Every month, starting in January there will be a new post up for you where you can post your Reviews for that month. A Mr Linky form will be up for you.Although one review is the minimum to be entered, the more reviews you post each month the more chances you get to win the monthly prize. The monthly prizes includes giftcards from where you can buy audiobooks - like Amazon, iTunes, Barnes&Nobles and Audible. Plus, we will also have some MP3 players in the monthly prizes and other stuff that has something to do with audiobooks. You know how we Bookworms like to get creative with the prizes....You can pick the audiobooks as you go (no need to decide right now).Throughout the year, as you add your reviews in, you'll be eligible for level badges based on how many hours of audibook listening you've logged.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

from back of book:EXPLORE THE WILDS OF THE GRAND TETONS-AND THE MYSTERIES OF LOVE, MURDER, AND MADNESS

Reece Gilmore has come a long way to see the stunning view below her. As the sole survivor of a brutal crime back East, she has been on the run. She settles in Angel’s Fist, Wyoming, and takes a job at a local diner. And now she’s hiked this mountain all by herself. Ti was glorious, she thinks, as she peers through her binoculars at the Snake River churning below.And then she sees a man and a woman on the opposite bank. Arguing. Fighting. And suddenly, he’s on top of her, his hand around her throat…

Enjoying a moment of solitude a bit farther down the trail is a gruff loner named Brody. But by the time Reece reaches him and brings him to the scene, the pair is gone. And when authorities comb the area where she saw the attack, they find nothing.

Reece knows there’s a killer in Angel’s Fist, even if Brody, despite his seeming impatience and desire to keep her at arm’s length, is the only one willing to believe her. When a series of menacing events makes it clear that someone wants her out of the way, Reece must put her trust in Brody-and herself-to find out if there is a kill in Angel’s Fist before it’s too late

My Review:Great suspense novel. There are times with Reece struggle with her past becomes annoying. You feel empathy for what she had to go through and you understand way she is the way she is. But at the same time, you think it was a case of wrong place at the wrong time. Not everyone is in danger for their lives at every moment. I never knew who the killer was though I suspected I never knew for sure. At the end, the thing that you can learn from this book is trust your instincts. If something or someone does “feel” right then keep that in the back of your mind, you don’t have to act on it at the moment but concrete reasons as to way you feel that way may present itself.

Quote – Like to think himself a mountain man. What he is, is gayer than daisies in spring“My love life is as sparse as Pete’s hairline.”

Thursday, February 17, 2011

I WAS JUST A LOST LITTLE GIRL forced to make it in a grown woman’s world. A child turned out by the rulers of the game. When you get thrown into a snakepit you better learn how to wiggle! It’s all about survival, baby. And not only did I learn the code of the streets, I made my own damn rules and got paid in the process. So listen close, but watch your pockets. I’m a Harlem girl. A scandalous chick. A ruthless mama. Me and this city are just alike. Grimy. And we never, ever sleep…

My Review:Saucy is selfish, self-centered, and straight grimy. She betrays Tai, a girl she calls her best friend. Though she hasn’t said anything to her face she bad-mouth her in her mind. She thinks Tai has low self-esteem when it’s really her. She has no sense of self worth outside of her looks and sexually skills. In the back of her mind if people weren’t paying her any attention, she wasn’t laced with stack of money and fly gear she was dirty, raggedy Saucy with the crack-head parents.

The fact that she liked that she had gotten herself tagged as Brainiac should make me feel sorry for the character but she is so unlikable, I can’t feel an ounce of sympathy for this character. All I could think is that somebody needs to Tae Bo that hoe. At least she really did love on person and though she screwed over everyone in her life she honestly had a limited of what she would do to her Uncle Swag.

In the end she loses everything. The funny part is that she still didn’t get it right up to the end. She had no sense of responsibility. Everything was everyone else’s fault. She turned out to be just like the mother she despised, right down to the neglected of her own child.

The book is a cautionary tale for all those people who value looks and material possession over everything else. It is hard to write a character that the reader is supposed to be not like but sympathize with Noire didn’t succeed in creating that effect with me.

NOTE *She likes to reference characters from other books in to the novel you are reading. She is associated with a few rappers and you will find their names and raps throughout the novels whenever she brings up music.

Monday, February 14, 2011

From back of book:Was She More Than His Mate?Julian Savage was golden. Powerful. But tormented. For the brooding hunter walked alone, far from his Carpathian kind, alien to even his twin. Like his name, his existence was savage. Until he met the woman he was sworn to protect… When Julian heard Desari sing, rainbows swamped his starving senses. Emotions bombarded his hardened heart. And a dark hunger to possess her flooded his loins, blinding him to the danger stalking him. And even as Desari enflamed him, she dared to defy him with mysterious, unparalleled feminine powers. Was Desari more than his perfect mate? Julian had met his match in this woman, but would she drive him to madness…or save his soul?

My Review:Like all the novels in the Dark Series it is very repetitive. Words you will hear over and over and over again are white hot, liquid heat, molten lava, need, and hunger. It can be quite tiring and bogs the book down. If you took all the repetitive words out of the story it would be much more interesting but a whole lot shorter. Like in all the novels you are introduced to new characters that you know will have their own books in the future. What was different about this one is that you have a group of Carpathians you have been “lost” since childhood. They do not understand the ways of their people. We as readers can see what is happening between two of the characters though they cannot understand it themselves. TBR list #5

Friday, February 11, 2011

Random Book Questions. This is questions from It all starts with a book.Do you snack while you read? If so, favorite reading snack:Not usually. If I do it would be something like chips, popcorn, or Skittles.

What is your favorite drink while reading?Usually water. I drink a lot of water anyway so it’s only natural. If I am craving something else then it would be that.

Do you tend to mark your books as you read, or does the idea of writing in books horrify you?NO, NO, NO. The idea of writing in books horrifies me. I didn’t even highlight in my textbooks.

How do you keep your place while reading a book? Bookmark? Dog-ears? Laying the book flat open?I use both an index card and a bookmark at the same time. Bookmark because it’s pretty and an index card (s) for notes. Dog-ear pages…are you kidding me. I loaned a book to a friend and noticed she dog-eared a page. I was more than a little upset. Needless to say, I won’t lend her any of my new books.

Fiction, non-fiction, or both?Fiction 99% of the time.

Are you a person who tends to read to the end of a chapter, or can you stop anywhere?I can stop anywhere.

Are you the type of person to throw a book across the room or on the floor if the author irritates you?No but I will swear out loud or put it down for awhile.

If you come across an unfamiliar word, do you stop and look it up right away?No. I may make a note to look it up later but usually I can figure it out.

What are you currently reading?Thong on Fire by Noire

What is the last book you bought?I don’t remember it has been a long time. I want to buy new books all the time but I have so many to read pile that I can’t justify a new book.

Are you the type of person that reads one book at a time, or can you read more than one?One printed book and an audio book.

Do you have a favorite time/place to read?No. I can read anywhere. Any time though I find myself read more in the afternoon.

Do you prefer series books or stand alones?Doesn’t matter to me. I do enjoy a good series.

Is there a specific book or author you find yourself recommending over and over?Harry Potter series. Alex Cross series.

How do you organize your books? (by genre, title, author's last name, etc.)Okay. I have one tall bookcase it holds romances (triple stacked). The last shelf holds mysteries. Two small bookcases. One holds African-American authors and the other holds everything else (double stacked). Then on those bookcases, books I have read are placed in the back of the shelves.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

The spiciest, sauciest, most rib-sticking plum yet!Recipe for disaster: Celebrity chef Stanley Chipotle come to Trenton to participate in a barbecue cook-off and loses his head-literally.Throw in some spice: Bail bonds office worker Lula is witness to the crime, and the only one she’ll talk to is Trenton cop, Joe Morelli.Pump up the heat: Chipotle’s sponsor is offering a million-dollar reward to anyone who can provide information leading to the capture of the killers.Stir the pot: Lula recruits bounty hunter Stephanie Plum to help her find the killers and collect the moolah.Add a secret ingredient: Stephanie’s Grandma Mazur. Enough said.Bring to a boil: Can Stephanie hunt down to killers, a traitor, five skips, keep her grandmother out of the sauce, solve Ranger’s problems and not jump his bones?Warning: Habanero hot. So good you’ll want seconds.

My Review:

Again this is one of my favorite series. Lula once again steals the show. You know, I think it would be nice is Evanovich could find a way to start a series or even just one book starting Lula. That would be riot. Action after action. TBR list #3

Monday, February 7, 2011

From Goodreads:Isabella Swan's move to Forks, a small, perpetually rainy town in Washington, could have been the most boring move she ever made. But once she meets the mysterious and alluring Edward Cullen, Bella's life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn. Up until now, Edward has managed to keep his vampire identity a secret in the small community he lives in, but now nobody is safe, especially Bella, the person Edward holds most dear. The lovers find themselves balanced precariously on the point of a knife—between desire and danger. Deeply romantic and extraordinarily suspenseful, Twilight captures the struggle between defying our instincts and satisfying our desires. This is a love story with bite.

My Review:Well, what can I say? Did it leave you to the hype for me? I don't know if it's because it is a YA novel but it just didn't grab me. Okay, this is what bothered me the most...Edward's damn perfection. Nothing about him sounded like perfection to me. It made me wonder if I had ever gushed about a guy like this as a teenager. I really don't think I did. Yes, there were guys that I thought were sooo good looking. I even dated a couple of the "popular and fine" ones but my mind wasn't constantly bring up the words perfection and beautiful at every sight. If you were to talk out the comments on Edwards beauty the book could probably be cut down to 400 pages. For me it really slowed the pace of the book down. TBR list #4 (sorry Twilight fans but this book can wait).

Friday, February 4, 2011

from back of box:BOUNTY HUNTER STEPHANIE PLUM GOES ON HER MOST EXPLOSIVE ADVENTURE YET.

THE CRIME: Armed robbery to the tune of nine million dollarsDom Rizzi robbed a bank, stashed the money, and did the time. His family couldn't be more proud. He always was the smart one.

THE COUSIN: Joe MorelliJoe Morelli, Dom Rizzi, and Dom's sister, Loretta, are cousins. Morelli's a cop, Rizzi robs banks, and Loretta is a single mother waiting table at the firehouse. The all-American family.

THE COMPLICATIONS: Murder, kidnapping, destruction of personal propety, and acid refluxLess than a week after Dom's release from prison, Joe Morelli has shadowy figures breaking into his house and dying in his basement. He's getting threatening messages, Loretta is kidnapped, and Dom is missing.

THE CUPCAKE: Stephanie PlumStephanie and Morelli have a long-standing relationship tha involves sex, affection, and driving each other nuts. She's a bond enforcement agent with more luck than talent, and she's involved in the bank-robbery-gone=bad disaster from day one.

THE CRISIS: A favor for RangerSecurity expert Carlos Manoso, street name Ranger, has a job for Stephanie that will involve night work. Morelli has his own ideas regarding Stephanie's evening activities.

THE CONCLUSION: Only the fearless should listen to FourteenThrills, chills, and incontinence may result.

My Review:

I love the Stephanie Plum series. She always seems to find trouble. Many times she only has herself to blame. I'm a nice person too but where is the bail enforcement handbook does it states that you have to babysit the son of a skip, even if she is related to your on again, off again boyfriend. Lula always have great lines. My favorite from this one "I need something clogging otherwise my blood could go to fast and make me dizzy" LOL (it went something like that). TBR list #3

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling10 cds5stars02/02/2011

From back of book:

My Review:

This is book 3 in the series. In this one Harry "accidentally" "blows" up is Aunt. While storming out of the house with no place to go he sees the grim. Where introduced to new characters such as Stanley Shunpike and Sirius Black. Sirius Black is the prisoner who escaped from Azkaban. The relationship between Sirius, Harry, and Harry's parents is explained in this book. The book is faced paced. The audio verison is always great as the narrator does a great job with the voices. TBR list #1

About Me

Born in the South, lived in the Northeast, and now living back in the South has created this diversity of culture and interests in me. I love creativity and it shows. I am friendly so leave comments, suggestions, and/or tips.

Upcoming Tours

*

.

FTC

LinkShare

Kobo Inc.

Alibris

Barnes & Noble

Amazon

iTunes

*Please note clicking book covers and text links will send you to one of the above websites. I get a small percentage if you make a purchase from any of the websites mentioned above. However, this in no way influence my book reviews. If I like a book it's because I like it and the same is true if I dislike it.

- Many books on here have been received as an ARC.

**This blog uses third party links. This blog and/or the third party links may use cookies. By clicking any links you acknowledge that you have been informed about the potential use of cookies.